Integrated Seat Shell Latch Assembly for Tool-Less Fore-Aft Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat mount and adjustment systems for vehicles are complex, costly, and require numerous components, making them expensive to manufacture, assemble, and install, while also being cumbersome and requiring tools for adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A simplified seat mount assembly with a unitary, snap-in construction that integrates a seat slide component and latch, allowing for fore and aft adjustment without fasteners, using a minimal number of components and enabling tool-less attachment to a seat support, which can pivot for access to vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional steel mounting plate with multiple components is used, then seat adjustment function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (mounting plate, latch mechanism, adjustment slots, fasteners) into a single integrated seat shell structure. The seat shell directly incorporates all adjustment and latching functions, eliminating the need for separate mounting plates and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat shell is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables fore-aft adjustment through integrated slots, incorporates latching mechanisms, and eliminates the need for separate mounting hardware. This multi-functional design reduces the overall component count while maintaining all necessary seat adjustment capabilities.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple fasteners and secondary plates are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates fastening functions directly into the seat shell structure, eliminating the need for separate secondary plates and multiple fasteners. The integrated design maintains secure attachment while significantly simplifying the manufacturing and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat shell is designed to be self-contained with all necessary attachment and adjustment features built-in. The structure provides its own mounting capabilities without requiring additional external components, making assembly simpler while maintaining secure attachment strength.
3Productivity
If conventional seat mount system is used, then seat positioning function is achieved, but loss of time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all adjustment mechanisms, latching systems, and mounting features into a single integrated seat shell structure. This integration allows for quicker installation as fewer separate components need to be assembled and positioned, directly reducing assembly time and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat shell is pre-configured with all necessary adjustment slots, latching mechanisms, and mounting features during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations, allowing for rapid installation and positioning while maintaining full adjustment functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A fore-aft adjustable vehicle seat formed of a plastic seat shell having an integrally formed latch handle recess molded into the shell that pivotally receives and retains a latch having a handle at one end and that is disposed in pivotal engagement with the shell at its opposite end. The latch is provided by an elongate bar that is spring biased outwardly into a slide plate engaging position that opposes fore-aft seat movement. A preferred latch handle recess includes a recessed latch seating channel integrally molded into the shell in communication with a latch receiver pocket integrally molded into the shell in which one end of the latch bar is pivotally received with engagement between the latch bar and shell defining a pivot about which the latch is biased by a coil spring outwardly toward a seat position adjustment opposing position where the latch bar releasably engages the slide plate.